What on earth is this free swimming creature?!

[TravelinGal]

Saw this dot floating around in my tank and then realized it was moving on its own - not just something caught in a current.

Video shot with iPhone with creature in a "pee cup"

(here's hoping the video attaches right! LOL)

[video=facebook;10204370786178325]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204370786178325&l=110967793038017899 0[/video]

 

[TravelinGal]

shoot - it didn't work Maybe if I just post the link?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204370786178325&l=1109677930380178990

(sure wish we could edit posts!)

 

[Munch]

Become a member and you can edit

 

[halmus]

That's pretty cool. I've been around the hobby for a while and haven't personally seen this before. Or maybe I have, but not as a juvenile?

Almost looks like a jelly? But that just sounds ridiculous.

 

[scotty b]

no idea what it is , looks like a jelly fish to mee

 

[TravelinGal]

Become a member and you can edit

Saturday, Munch, Saturday! (meeting #2!)


This thing actually moves itself around though - very active pulsating motion. Don't jellies just float in the current?

If it is jelly related, should I remove it? (sting risk to others in tank?)

 

[scotty b]

when in doubt QT

 

[halmus]

My personal philosophy: when in doubt, isolate it. But I would hang on to it if possible. It might be some cute cuddly thing.

Hopefully someone more knowledgable than me can give some insight.

 

[halmus]

Like Scotty said.

 

[Jeremiah]

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchodds.html


JELLYFISH - and their Schyphostome reproductive
polyps which will bud off small jellyfish. The polyps are reported to able to
inflict a very nasty sting with their nematocysts, so be careful in handling
them. They are also extremely difficult to eradicate. Most hobbyist confuse the
structures for hydroids when in fact there are numerous species of jellyfish
which reproduce in this anchored polyp form.

Jellyfish reproduction shown in the below series of six
photos, which results in a free swimming Cassiopeia andromeda

 

[zombie]

That would definately be jellyfish. I had some appear in my tank once. Their numbers got real big for a week or so and then they just kinda died off on their own. I couldn't find any possible way to get rid of them when I had them, but read that our tanks dont have the type of food sources needed to sustain them long term. Siphon out any you see, and they should just go away.

 

[halmus]

What on earth is this free swimming creature?!

Huh. Never heard of these making it into a tank before on purpose. I always thought they were too fragile.

(Edit: making it into a tank when NOT on purpose)

 

[zombie]

Huh. Never heard of these making it into a tank before on purpose. I always thought they were too fragile.

(Edit: making it into a tank when NOT on purpose)

I noticed them in mine shortly after buying a maricultured acropora. Must have been resistant to a 10 min dip.

 

[TravelinGal]

Thanks everyone. I guess it certainly is a jellyfish. Cassiopea andromea - aka upside down jellyfish.

I put it in my QT to see what happens. (most likely it will get sucked into the filter but maybe it will grow...)

 

[SkyShark]

Wow, that may be a pest, but that is still really cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[FinsUp]

Insanely cool! And congrats to you for catching on so fast.

 

[Miah2bzy]

I think I hear the start of another tank build...'hangin w the jellies!'

 

[SynDen]

Ya looks like a jelly. Very kewl, haven't seen that hitchhiker before. I would certainly keep it isolated but might be really kewl to see it grow

 

[Mav]

Wow! That's cool!

 

[scchase]

Most likely a hydroid many species alternate life stags between the attached version you have seen on rocks and a free floating jellyfish stage.